In News:

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw launched three major initiatives aimed at strengthening India's media, broadcasting, and digital sector and promoting the creative economy - namely, the National AI Skilling Initiative in partnership with Google and YouTube through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT); MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT; and the rollout of Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in television sets for enhancing access to DD Free Dish services.

What is the Orange Economy?

The Orange Economy, also referred to as the Creative Economy, is a production model where value is derived primarily from intellectual property, creativity, and cultural capital rather than physical manufacturing or natural resources.

Key Sectors: AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), film, music, fashion, design, advertising, performing arts, and cultural tourism.

Economic Significance:

·         Accounts for approximately 3% of global GDP and supports 30 million jobs worldwide

·         India's entertainment and media revenue is projected to grow from USD 35.3 billion in 2025 to USD 47.2 billion by 2029

·         Budget 2026-27 announced the establishment of AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, targeting a skilled workforce of 2 million professionals by 2030

The Three Transformative Initiatives

1. National AI Skilling Initiative

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in partnership with Google and YouTube, has announced a national AI skilling initiative to train 15,000 participants from the creative and media sectors. This initiative is being implemented through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and is aimed at strengthening AI capabilities in areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) and media technology.

The programme is structured in two phases:

·         Phase I (March–June 2026): Focuses on foundational AI learning at scale through Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud Generative AI learning paths. Participants will undergo courses such as AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, Introduction to Generative AI, and Generative AI Leader Path. Successful completion of this phase will be mandatory for progression to the next stage.

·         Phase II (July–December 2026): Focuses on advanced, hands-on and project-based specialization for the creative industry. The curriculum will include modules on the art of storytelling, YouTube best practices, and advanced training using AI tools such as Gemini 3, Nano Banana, Veo, and Vertex AI. The training will be conducted in major cities across the country.

Importantly, around 15,000 youths will be trained without any fee.

2. MyWAVES — Citizen Creator Platform

MyWAVES is a new feature within the WAVES OTT platform that will enable citizens to create, upload, and share content. MyWaves is designed as a structured platform for user-generated content (UGC) that will also support participation in national initiatives such as the Create in India Challenge.

The platform marks a shift from content viewing to active content participation, making WAVES OTT a platform not only for viewing but also for creation. MyWaves will support multiple formats including short videos, vertical videos, and episodic content, and will offer a multilingual interface across Indian languages.

The Create in India Challenge (CIC) with which MyWAVES aligns hosts competitions across diverse themes including the Anime Challenge, AI Film Making, Comics Creator Championship, Truth Tell Hackathon (to combat misinformation), and XR Creator Hackathon, collectively empowering India's grassroots creator economy.

3. Advanced EPG with In-Built Satellite Tuners

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has introduced television sets with built-in satellite tuners along with a new, user-friendly programme guide (EPG). With this initiative, viewers will be able to watch DD Free Dish channels directly on their television sets without the need for a separate set-top box, thereby reducing additional costs, wiring, and the hassle of multiple remotes.

The new advanced programme guide will allow users to easily browse channels and programme schedules in one place through a simple and intuitive interface, making the overall viewing experience more convenient for households across the country. This initiative holds particular significance for remote and rural areas where last-mile connectivity and hardware affordability remain persistent barriers.

In News:

The Union Budget 2026–27 marks a decisive shift in India’s development strategy by placing creative industries at the heart of a services-led growth model. By investing in digital content creation, design education, and skill development, the government has signalled strong support for the Orange Economy, a sector where ideas, culture and intellectual property generate economic value.

Understanding the Orange Economy

The Orange Economy, also known as the Creative Economy, refers to knowledge-based activities where value arises from creativity, cultural heritage, and intellectual property rather than physical production.

• The term was popularised by Iván Duque Márquez and Felipe Buitrago in their 2013 book The Orange Economy: An Infinite Opportunity.
• The colour orange symbolises culture, identity and creativity across civilizations.
• Globally, the creative economy generates over $2 trillion annually and supports nearly 50 million jobs.

For India, this sector represents the intersection of culture, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Key Budget Proposals for the Creative Sector

1. AVGC Content Creator Labs

The Budget proposes setting up Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Content Creator Labs in:

• 15,000 secondary schools
• 500 colleges

These labs will be anchored by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, envisioned as a premier institution for creative technology training.

Financial Allocation: ?250 crore earmarked for AVGC talent development.

Objective: Early exposure to digital storytelling tools, immersive technologies and creative entrepreneurship.

2. Expansion of Design Education

A new campus of the National Institute of Design (NID) will be established in Eastern India through a competitive “challenge route”.

Significance:

• Addresses shortage of trained designers
• Supports product innovation and branding for MSMEs
• Reduces regional disparities in access to design education

Why the Orange Economy Matters for India

1. Economic Growth Driver

• India’s media and entertainment sector was valued at ?2.5 trillion in 2024 (Economic Survey 2025–26).
• Creative exports grew by 20% in 2023–24, earning over $11 billion.

This highlights the sector’s potential to become a major contributor to services exports and GDP growth.

2. Employment Generation

• Employs around 8% of India’s workforce
• Offers large-scale opportunities for youth, freelancers, women and gig workers
• AVGC sector alone projected to need 2 million professionals by 2030

The sector’s low entry barriers and digital reach make it a powerful employment engine.

3. Strengthening Soft Power

Creative industries export stories, culture and intellectual property, enhancing India’s global influence.

• Indian films, gaming content, music, and digital art expand India’s cultural footprint
• Promotes Brand India globally

Thus, the Orange Economy is not just economic policy, but also cultural diplomacy.

4. Democratization of Creative Opportunity

By establishing AVGC labs in schools and colleges beyond metros, the budget aims to:

• Provide access to high-end creative tools in semi-urban and rural areas
• Unlock hidden talent across regions
• Reduce digital and opportunity divides

This aligns with the vision of inclusive and distributed growth.

India’s Structural Advantages

India is well-positioned to lead in the creative economy due to:

• A young demographic profile
• Rapid urbanisation and rising incomes
• Expanding internet and smartphone penetration
• Strong tradition of storytelling, arts and crafts

When combined with digital platforms, these factors create a fertile ecosystem for creative entrepreneurship.

In News:

At the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) held in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the transformative potential of India's Orange Economy—a sector driven by creativity, content, and culture. With Indian films now screened in over 100 countries and a surge in OTT platform consumption, India is fast emerging as a global content leader.

What is the Orange Economy?

Also known as the Creative Economy, the Orange Economy encompasses industries rooted in individual creativity, talent, and intellectual property. Coined by Colombian economists Felipe Buitrago and Iván Duque, the term “orange” reflects the vibrancy of cultural identity and innovation.

Core Sectors:

• Advertising, architecture, and design
• Arts and crafts, fashion, and publishing
• Film, music, performing arts, and photography
• Animation, gaming, software, and digital media
• Television, radio, and electronic publishing
• Research and development (R&D)

Key Features of the Orange Economy

• Knowledge-driven and innovation-centric
• Promotes cultural diversity and economic inclusivity
• Combines economic, social, and cultural dimensions
• Strong links to technology, tourism, and intellectual property rights

Global and National Significance

• As per UNESCO, the Orange Economy contributes approximately 3% to global GDP and supports over 30 million jobs worldwide.
• The global animation industry alone is valued at $430 billion.
• In India, the creative sector is being nurtured through flagship initiatives like Skill India, Startup India, and platforms such as WAVES, aiming to empower young creators—from Guwahati musicians to Kochi podcasters.

Government Support and Vision

Emphasized that though the "screen may be shrinking, the scope is infinite," underlining the massive potential of digital platforms and content innovation. The government is actively working to build an enabling ecosystem for the creative economy, blending economic growth with cultural preservation.